What does the principle of least privilege in cybersecurity refer to?

The principle of least privilege is a fundamental concept in cybersecurity that focuses on minimizing the access rights for users, accounts, or processes to the bare minimum necessary to perform their job functions. By granting users only the minimum access required, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems.

This principle ensures that users operate under restricted privileges, which helps in mitigating the potential damage that can arise from accidental or malicious actions. For instance, if a user is compromised, the attacker would only have access to limited resources rather than the entire system or network. This containment is crucial for maintaining security integrity and preventing data breaches.

The principle of least privilege is not about granting unrestricted access or unnecessary permissions, which can lead to vulnerabilities and exploitation. It emphasizes the importance of adopting a proactive security posture by carefully managing permissions and access rights for each role within an organization.